Miracles? No Problem!
Drama
No Stable Too Small
15 Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes
Object:
Characters (in order of appearance)
Elizabeth
Mary
Gabriel
King 1
King 2
King 3
Mary's Mother
Joseph
Mary 2
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Shepherd 3
2nd Angel
3rd Angel
Angel Choir
Props
Stool/chair
Bowl
Star
Broom
Sack
Carrots and veggies
Knife
Handkerchief
Bundle
Notes
This play puts the viewer in Mary's home the day she received the news that she was to have a special child, and is based on Luke 1:26-38. It envisions Gabriel arriving in Mary's kitchen and Mary's reaction to the news. As he talks with Mary and tells her what will be, various scenes from the Christmas story are acted out on the other side of the stage, giving Mary a glimpse of her future.
The play has fourteen speaking parts, with parts for all, from seven or eight years old through adults, plus the Angel Choir, which offers a chance to dress up all the little ones in the Sunday school and bring them onstage to say one line in unison.
(Stage is empty at the beginning of the play, except for one stool or plain chair that is slightly right of center, a bowl that sits on the platform, a broom that rests against the platform, stage right, and a hanging star. All the "vision" scenes will occur stage left. The play was initially performed in a sanctuary with a raised platform. Mary was on the floor level, and Gabriel above her on the platform. From stage right, Elizabeth enters, carrying a sack.)
Elizabeth: (calling off) Mary? Are you home?
Mary: (entering from stage left) Elizabeth. What are you doing? (yanks the sack away)
Elizabeth: I was at the market. I bought you some fresh vegetables for dinner.
Mary: I could have gotten them. You're not supposed to drag heavy things around now.
Elizabeth: I'm not dying, I'm pregnant. I wanted to take a walk.
Mary: But you've got to think of the baby. Especially since, well, since you're kind of old to have one.
Elizabeth: Thank you for stating the obvious. Mary, this baby is a miracle, a gift from God. Now if God wanted me to have this child so badly that he'd let me get pregnant, he's not going to let a few vegetables hurt it.
Mary: (pulling the chair forward) Here, sit for a while before going home.
Elizabeth: All right, all right. You're as bad as my husband. I've caught him taking my pulse while I'm sleeping.
Mary: After waiting all these years, I would think you wouldn't want to take any chances.
Elizabeth: I'm not taking chances. I'm very healthy and so is this baby. The only thing that worries me is that with the way he's kicking, he's going to be a handful when he grows up. With my luck, he's going to end up as some wild man who eats locusts.
Mary: Elizabeth, you're my favorite cousin and I love you, but you think really strange thoughts sometimes.
Elizabeth: It comes with my condition ... or maybe my age. Anyway, I have my own dinner to fix. I'll probably see you tomorrow.
Mary: Walk slowly, please. And thanks for the veggies.
(Elizabeth exits stage right. Mary picks up the bowl, moves the sack next to the chair, and sits, beginning to peel carrots. The Angel Gabriel enters from stage left and stands on the platform. He takes a few minutes to prepare himself, signals the audience when he's ready to begin. Mary doesn't notice.)
Gabriel: (clears throat) Mary?
(Mary spins completely around, dropping the bowl.)
Mary: Who are you? How did you get in here? My parents will be back any minute. And my father is pretty good with a spear.
Gabriel: (stepping off platform and walking to Mary) Calm down. I've been sent from God.
Mary: (reaching back and grabbing the broom which she wields as a weapon) God doesn't drop people into kitchens like that. That line might work on Samaritans, but Galileans aren't that naive. Now, get out.
Gabriel: Please listen to me. I'm a messenger. God sent me all the way to earth to tell you something very special.
Mary: (lowering the broom a bit, but still using it as a barrier between herself and Gabriel) Special message? Why would God have a message for me? I'm not some Pharisee. I don't even know the Torah that well.
Gabriel: Trust me. You have found favor with God. And we never question the Big Guy. Please, if you'd just put down the broom I could explain.
Mary: Okay -- you can explain. But please don't walk around too much. I just washed the floor.
Gabriel: Perfectly understandable. May I sit?
Mary: Please do.
(Gabriel sits on the edge of the platform. He takes a moment to regain his composure, pulls out a handkerchief and mops off his forehead. Mary remains standing, leaning on the broom a bit.)
Gabriel: Now as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted ... Where did you learn to swing a broom like that? You know, one day there's going to be a sport called baseball. Somehow I think you'd be very good at it. Okay (takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before continuing), God has chosen you for a special purpose. You are going to have a baby. This will be a very special child. It will be the Son of God and he will save his people from their sins.
Mary: The Son of God? How can a human have a holy baby? Besides, I'm not even married yet. And, well, I'm not like those girls that hang out by the well.
Gabriel: You are not listening. God will send the baby. He is the one giving you this child, just as he gave the baby to your cousin, Elizabeth.
Mary: That is what Elizabeth was saying before. I'm sorry. None of this makes any sense. I can see you're not of this place, but from God?
Gabriel: I take it you don't know your prophecies that well, either. (stands and points to the chair) I can also see you're not going to make this easy for me. I guess you need the demonstration. Sit!
Mary: (sits on chair) Okay, but make it quick. That lamb won't cook itself.
Gabriel: I've got other places to go, too, you know. (clears throat, looks out at audience, this is a presentation he knows by heart) This story begins many years ago. Prophets like Isaiah and Daniel spoke of a time when God would send a Savior. This Savior would be from the family of David.
Mary: Joseph is from David's family. He talks about it all the time. David was his great, great, great, great, great, great, great....
Gabriel: (exasperated, cuts her off) I know that. Anyway, all over the world people have been looking for signs of this Savior. Even in the far-eastern lands.
(Gabriel points to stage left where the first of many visions of the future will be set up. If possible, that end of the stage should have its own lighting. The Kings should set themselves up toward the end of Gabriel's speech about the prophets.)
King 1: (gazing at the sky) Where did that star come from? It wasn't in the sky last night.
King 2: I can't find it on any of the charts. And I've gone through all my books.
King 3: A new star that no one has ever seen before. Maybe this is a sign from God. Let's keep an eye on the sky.
King 1: Perhaps the prophecy is finally being fulfilled, and the one we have been waiting for has come.
King 2: The star may lead us to him. I'll tell the servants to begin packing in case we have to leave suddenly.
King 3: I'm going to watch the star a bit longer. I'll let you know if it moves.
King 2: (mentally making his list) We'll need several changes of clothing of course, our charts for navigation, food for the animals and ourselves ...
King 3: What about gifts? We can't go visit the Son of God without the right gift.
King 1: We'll bring gold, and frankincense, and costly myrrh. I'll have the servants prepare them at once.
(Kings will exit up center aisle.)
Mary: Who are those guys?
Gabriel: Extremely bright men, some of the most learned on earth. They know the Torah ... and they're not even Jewish.
Mary: Are they looking for this baby I'm supposed to have?
(Mary's Mother enters with bundle, watches scene unfolding before her, then rubs her eyes in disbelief.)
Gabriel: Of course. But that's a little further on in the story. I just wanted to let you know how many people have been waiting for this child. Now, where were we?
Mary: Prophecies.
Mary's Mother: Mary, since when do you let complete strangers in our house?
Mary: Shhh. He's an angel, and he's showing me my future.
Mary's Mother: Like I haven't heard that line before?
Gabriel: Do you mind? I mean, I'm telling a story here. You and Joseph will be married as you've planned. He's going to get cold feet. But don't worry; I'll set him straight. Soon afterward you'll have to go to Bethlehem to pay your taxes. Thank you, Caesar. That's where you'll have the baby.
(As Gabriel speaks, Joseph and a "stand-in" for Mary appear at the back of the auditorium and proceed slowly up the center aisle.)
Mary 2: (stopping part way) Please, Joseph. I can't go any further.
Joseph: I know you're tired, Mary. But I've tried every inn in town. There are just no rooms.
Mary 2: There's an inn just ahead. Perhaps they'll have a place for us.
Gabriel: There won't be any rooms at that inn either. But the innkeeper will take pity on you and let you use the stable.
(Mary 2 and Joseph reach platform stage left and settle into the "Christmas Tableau" on platform. The real Mary walks a bit closer to watch.)
Mary's Mother: (sarcastic) Oh, wonderful. First, there's an "angel" in my house. Now I find out my daughter is having a baby ... in a stable ... in Bethlehem.
Mary: Hush, Mother. I want to hear this.
Joseph: (looking over at the real Mary) The place doesn't matter, Mary. What matters is that you're going to have a healthy boy.
Mary: Joseph, this is all really true? I'm going to have a son?
Joseph: Yes, and we'll call him Jesus. The angel told me that. "His name shall be called Jesus. For he will save his people from their sins."
Mary's Mother: (turns back to Gabriel, shakes her head as if surprised at what she'd just seen) I've heard Joseph talk about some of these things. About a child that would come from the line of David and be the Savior of the world. But it's so ...
Gabriel: Weird, strange, bizarre? I know. But, God works in mysterious ways. And, there's more. Shortly after you've had the baby, you'll have visitors.
Mary: (nodding her head like she knows the answer) Those wise guys from the East, right?
Mary's Mother: What wise guys?
Mary: I'll tell you later.
Gabriel: No, they won't come 'til much later. It takes a long time to make that journey. No, your visit will be from some shepherds. The star the Wise Men were talking about first appeared to a group of shepherds watching their flocks out in the fields near Bethlehem. It was very late, and most of them were sound asleep. Now, you'll have to excuse me.
(Shepherds enter from stage left and set up their camp in front of where Mary is sitting. Gabriel climbs on to platform.)
Mary: What happens now?
Gabriel: (puts a finger to his lips) Just be quiet and watch.
Shepherd 3: (looks up at sky) Hey, everybody. Wake up!
Shepherd 2: It's not my turn to watch the sheep yet. Let me sleep.
Shepherd 3: Look at that big star.
Shepherd 2: (waking up) Wow, look at it! It's like it's going somewhere. None of the other stars are moving that way. And, it's so bright.
Shepherd 1: (sitting up) What star? Where?
Shepherd 3: (points up and behind) There. (as he points, he suddenly notices Gabriel) Where did you come from?
Gabriel: Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2nd Angel: For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
3rd Angel: And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Gabriel: (looking around) Where's the others?
2nd Angel: Who's missing?
3rd Angel: All the little ones.
2nd Angel: (to 3rd Angel) I thought you were bringing them. Can't I trust you with anything?
3rd Angel: (annoyed and defensive) Excuse me. Who was walking alongside Mary and Joseph all this way, protecting them? Who had to make sure that innkeeper put people ahead of profits? I've been dealing with an awful lot of stuff here.
2nd Angel: Yeah, but you forgot the first rule of God's kingdom: Children come first!
Gabriel: (sighing, to 2nd Angel) Go get the others.
(2nd Angel moves stage right and returns with the little angels.)
Gabriel: Everybody ready?
3rd Angel: We should be. We practiced enough.
2nd Angel: My goodness, we got up on the grumpy side of the clouds this morning. This is important stuff. People are going to be retelling what we do now for thousands of years. Little children are going to say it from church platforms in the twenty-first century! We have to do it right.
3rd Angel: Tell me, were you born high and mighty, or did you have to learn to be that way?
Gabriel: Please, cut it out. You're giving me a headache and there isn't supposed to be any suffering in heaven. (to the little ones) Nice and loud, just like we rehearsed it.
All Angels: Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will toward men.
(Mary mimes applause that Gabriel acknowledges with a slight bow. 3rd Angel also goes to take a bow, but stops when Gabriel gives a stern look. Angels exit stage right.)
Shepherd 2: A Savior? In Bethlehem, of all places. Let's go.
Shepherd 3: But, we want to go, too. And, someone has to watch the sheep.
2nd Angel: I'll do it.
Shepherd 3: Well, I guess that would be okay. Are you sure you can do it?
2nd Angel: No problem.
(Shepherds move from in front of the tableau to behind it.)
Mary: It's so beautiful. To think of all this happening to me.
Gabriel: (jumping down from the platform next to Mary) Not just to you, but to all humankind. Well, I've got to go now.
Mary: I'm still not sure I deserve all this.
Gabriel: God has his reasons. What we have to do is just believe in his promises and do what he asks of us.
(Gabriel steps back and walks off the platform. The tableau scene remains a bit longer before lights fade. Then the actors exit left.)
Joseph: (addressing the real Mary) Don't be frightened, Mary. It may not be easy at times, but God will give us what we need.
Mary's Mother: I'm going to get your father. Then, you've got a lot of explaining to do, young lady.
(Mary is left alone. As she looks and ponders about what she has seen, another cast member will read Luke 1:46-55. As it is read, Mary will go about straightening up the area, picking up the spilled vegetables, and putting the broom away. Elizabeth enters from stage right, out of breath.)
Elizabeth: Mary, something wonderful has happened. I just know it. I was making my dinner when, all of a sudden, I felt God's presence, and so did the baby. It actually feels like he's dancing in here.
Mary: Oh, Elizabeth, you're right!
Elizabeth: I knew it. God is doing something miraculous.
Mary: For both of us. For all of us. Sit down. I've got a long story to tell you.
Elizabeth
Mary
Gabriel
King 1
King 2
King 3
Mary's Mother
Joseph
Mary 2
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Shepherd 3
2nd Angel
3rd Angel
Angel Choir
Props
Stool/chair
Bowl
Star
Broom
Sack
Carrots and veggies
Knife
Handkerchief
Bundle
Notes
This play puts the viewer in Mary's home the day she received the news that she was to have a special child, and is based on Luke 1:26-38. It envisions Gabriel arriving in Mary's kitchen and Mary's reaction to the news. As he talks with Mary and tells her what will be, various scenes from the Christmas story are acted out on the other side of the stage, giving Mary a glimpse of her future.
The play has fourteen speaking parts, with parts for all, from seven or eight years old through adults, plus the Angel Choir, which offers a chance to dress up all the little ones in the Sunday school and bring them onstage to say one line in unison.
(Stage is empty at the beginning of the play, except for one stool or plain chair that is slightly right of center, a bowl that sits on the platform, a broom that rests against the platform, stage right, and a hanging star. All the "vision" scenes will occur stage left. The play was initially performed in a sanctuary with a raised platform. Mary was on the floor level, and Gabriel above her on the platform. From stage right, Elizabeth enters, carrying a sack.)
Elizabeth: (calling off) Mary? Are you home?
Mary: (entering from stage left) Elizabeth. What are you doing? (yanks the sack away)
Elizabeth: I was at the market. I bought you some fresh vegetables for dinner.
Mary: I could have gotten them. You're not supposed to drag heavy things around now.
Elizabeth: I'm not dying, I'm pregnant. I wanted to take a walk.
Mary: But you've got to think of the baby. Especially since, well, since you're kind of old to have one.
Elizabeth: Thank you for stating the obvious. Mary, this baby is a miracle, a gift from God. Now if God wanted me to have this child so badly that he'd let me get pregnant, he's not going to let a few vegetables hurt it.
Mary: (pulling the chair forward) Here, sit for a while before going home.
Elizabeth: All right, all right. You're as bad as my husband. I've caught him taking my pulse while I'm sleeping.
Mary: After waiting all these years, I would think you wouldn't want to take any chances.
Elizabeth: I'm not taking chances. I'm very healthy and so is this baby. The only thing that worries me is that with the way he's kicking, he's going to be a handful when he grows up. With my luck, he's going to end up as some wild man who eats locusts.
Mary: Elizabeth, you're my favorite cousin and I love you, but you think really strange thoughts sometimes.
Elizabeth: It comes with my condition ... or maybe my age. Anyway, I have my own dinner to fix. I'll probably see you tomorrow.
Mary: Walk slowly, please. And thanks for the veggies.
(Elizabeth exits stage right. Mary picks up the bowl, moves the sack next to the chair, and sits, beginning to peel carrots. The Angel Gabriel enters from stage left and stands on the platform. He takes a few minutes to prepare himself, signals the audience when he's ready to begin. Mary doesn't notice.)
Gabriel: (clears throat) Mary?
(Mary spins completely around, dropping the bowl.)
Mary: Who are you? How did you get in here? My parents will be back any minute. And my father is pretty good with a spear.
Gabriel: (stepping off platform and walking to Mary) Calm down. I've been sent from God.
Mary: (reaching back and grabbing the broom which she wields as a weapon) God doesn't drop people into kitchens like that. That line might work on Samaritans, but Galileans aren't that naive. Now, get out.
Gabriel: Please listen to me. I'm a messenger. God sent me all the way to earth to tell you something very special.
Mary: (lowering the broom a bit, but still using it as a barrier between herself and Gabriel) Special message? Why would God have a message for me? I'm not some Pharisee. I don't even know the Torah that well.
Gabriel: Trust me. You have found favor with God. And we never question the Big Guy. Please, if you'd just put down the broom I could explain.
Mary: Okay -- you can explain. But please don't walk around too much. I just washed the floor.
Gabriel: Perfectly understandable. May I sit?
Mary: Please do.
(Gabriel sits on the edge of the platform. He takes a moment to regain his composure, pulls out a handkerchief and mops off his forehead. Mary remains standing, leaning on the broom a bit.)
Gabriel: Now as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted ... Where did you learn to swing a broom like that? You know, one day there's going to be a sport called baseball. Somehow I think you'd be very good at it. Okay (takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before continuing), God has chosen you for a special purpose. You are going to have a baby. This will be a very special child. It will be the Son of God and he will save his people from their sins.
Mary: The Son of God? How can a human have a holy baby? Besides, I'm not even married yet. And, well, I'm not like those girls that hang out by the well.
Gabriel: You are not listening. God will send the baby. He is the one giving you this child, just as he gave the baby to your cousin, Elizabeth.
Mary: That is what Elizabeth was saying before. I'm sorry. None of this makes any sense. I can see you're not of this place, but from God?
Gabriel: I take it you don't know your prophecies that well, either. (stands and points to the chair) I can also see you're not going to make this easy for me. I guess you need the demonstration. Sit!
Mary: (sits on chair) Okay, but make it quick. That lamb won't cook itself.
Gabriel: I've got other places to go, too, you know. (clears throat, looks out at audience, this is a presentation he knows by heart) This story begins many years ago. Prophets like Isaiah and Daniel spoke of a time when God would send a Savior. This Savior would be from the family of David.
Mary: Joseph is from David's family. He talks about it all the time. David was his great, great, great, great, great, great, great....
Gabriel: (exasperated, cuts her off) I know that. Anyway, all over the world people have been looking for signs of this Savior. Even in the far-eastern lands.
(Gabriel points to stage left where the first of many visions of the future will be set up. If possible, that end of the stage should have its own lighting. The Kings should set themselves up toward the end of Gabriel's speech about the prophets.)
King 1: (gazing at the sky) Where did that star come from? It wasn't in the sky last night.
King 2: I can't find it on any of the charts. And I've gone through all my books.
King 3: A new star that no one has ever seen before. Maybe this is a sign from God. Let's keep an eye on the sky.
King 1: Perhaps the prophecy is finally being fulfilled, and the one we have been waiting for has come.
King 2: The star may lead us to him. I'll tell the servants to begin packing in case we have to leave suddenly.
King 3: I'm going to watch the star a bit longer. I'll let you know if it moves.
King 2: (mentally making his list) We'll need several changes of clothing of course, our charts for navigation, food for the animals and ourselves ...
King 3: What about gifts? We can't go visit the Son of God without the right gift.
King 1: We'll bring gold, and frankincense, and costly myrrh. I'll have the servants prepare them at once.
(Kings will exit up center aisle.)
Mary: Who are those guys?
Gabriel: Extremely bright men, some of the most learned on earth. They know the Torah ... and they're not even Jewish.
Mary: Are they looking for this baby I'm supposed to have?
(Mary's Mother enters with bundle, watches scene unfolding before her, then rubs her eyes in disbelief.)
Gabriel: Of course. But that's a little further on in the story. I just wanted to let you know how many people have been waiting for this child. Now, where were we?
Mary: Prophecies.
Mary's Mother: Mary, since when do you let complete strangers in our house?
Mary: Shhh. He's an angel, and he's showing me my future.
Mary's Mother: Like I haven't heard that line before?
Gabriel: Do you mind? I mean, I'm telling a story here. You and Joseph will be married as you've planned. He's going to get cold feet. But don't worry; I'll set him straight. Soon afterward you'll have to go to Bethlehem to pay your taxes. Thank you, Caesar. That's where you'll have the baby.
(As Gabriel speaks, Joseph and a "stand-in" for Mary appear at the back of the auditorium and proceed slowly up the center aisle.)
Mary 2: (stopping part way) Please, Joseph. I can't go any further.
Joseph: I know you're tired, Mary. But I've tried every inn in town. There are just no rooms.
Mary 2: There's an inn just ahead. Perhaps they'll have a place for us.
Gabriel: There won't be any rooms at that inn either. But the innkeeper will take pity on you and let you use the stable.
(Mary 2 and Joseph reach platform stage left and settle into the "Christmas Tableau" on platform. The real Mary walks a bit closer to watch.)
Mary's Mother: (sarcastic) Oh, wonderful. First, there's an "angel" in my house. Now I find out my daughter is having a baby ... in a stable ... in Bethlehem.
Mary: Hush, Mother. I want to hear this.
Joseph: (looking over at the real Mary) The place doesn't matter, Mary. What matters is that you're going to have a healthy boy.
Mary: Joseph, this is all really true? I'm going to have a son?
Joseph: Yes, and we'll call him Jesus. The angel told me that. "His name shall be called Jesus. For he will save his people from their sins."
Mary's Mother: (turns back to Gabriel, shakes her head as if surprised at what she'd just seen) I've heard Joseph talk about some of these things. About a child that would come from the line of David and be the Savior of the world. But it's so ...
Gabriel: Weird, strange, bizarre? I know. But, God works in mysterious ways. And, there's more. Shortly after you've had the baby, you'll have visitors.
Mary: (nodding her head like she knows the answer) Those wise guys from the East, right?
Mary's Mother: What wise guys?
Mary: I'll tell you later.
Gabriel: No, they won't come 'til much later. It takes a long time to make that journey. No, your visit will be from some shepherds. The star the Wise Men were talking about first appeared to a group of shepherds watching their flocks out in the fields near Bethlehem. It was very late, and most of them were sound asleep. Now, you'll have to excuse me.
(Shepherds enter from stage left and set up their camp in front of where Mary is sitting. Gabriel climbs on to platform.)
Mary: What happens now?
Gabriel: (puts a finger to his lips) Just be quiet and watch.
Shepherd 3: (looks up at sky) Hey, everybody. Wake up!
Shepherd 2: It's not my turn to watch the sheep yet. Let me sleep.
Shepherd 3: Look at that big star.
Shepherd 2: (waking up) Wow, look at it! It's like it's going somewhere. None of the other stars are moving that way. And, it's so bright.
Shepherd 1: (sitting up) What star? Where?
Shepherd 3: (points up and behind) There. (as he points, he suddenly notices Gabriel) Where did you come from?
Gabriel: Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2nd Angel: For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
3rd Angel: And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Gabriel: (looking around) Where's the others?
2nd Angel: Who's missing?
3rd Angel: All the little ones.
2nd Angel: (to 3rd Angel) I thought you were bringing them. Can't I trust you with anything?
3rd Angel: (annoyed and defensive) Excuse me. Who was walking alongside Mary and Joseph all this way, protecting them? Who had to make sure that innkeeper put people ahead of profits? I've been dealing with an awful lot of stuff here.
2nd Angel: Yeah, but you forgot the first rule of God's kingdom: Children come first!
Gabriel: (sighing, to 2nd Angel) Go get the others.
(2nd Angel moves stage right and returns with the little angels.)
Gabriel: Everybody ready?
3rd Angel: We should be. We practiced enough.
2nd Angel: My goodness, we got up on the grumpy side of the clouds this morning. This is important stuff. People are going to be retelling what we do now for thousands of years. Little children are going to say it from church platforms in the twenty-first century! We have to do it right.
3rd Angel: Tell me, were you born high and mighty, or did you have to learn to be that way?
Gabriel: Please, cut it out. You're giving me a headache and there isn't supposed to be any suffering in heaven. (to the little ones) Nice and loud, just like we rehearsed it.
All Angels: Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will toward men.
(Mary mimes applause that Gabriel acknowledges with a slight bow. 3rd Angel also goes to take a bow, but stops when Gabriel gives a stern look. Angels exit stage right.)
Shepherd 2: A Savior? In Bethlehem, of all places. Let's go.
Shepherd 3: But, we want to go, too. And, someone has to watch the sheep.
2nd Angel: I'll do it.
Shepherd 3: Well, I guess that would be okay. Are you sure you can do it?
2nd Angel: No problem.
(Shepherds move from in front of the tableau to behind it.)
Mary: It's so beautiful. To think of all this happening to me.
Gabriel: (jumping down from the platform next to Mary) Not just to you, but to all humankind. Well, I've got to go now.
Mary: I'm still not sure I deserve all this.
Gabriel: God has his reasons. What we have to do is just believe in his promises and do what he asks of us.
(Gabriel steps back and walks off the platform. The tableau scene remains a bit longer before lights fade. Then the actors exit left.)
Joseph: (addressing the real Mary) Don't be frightened, Mary. It may not be easy at times, but God will give us what we need.
Mary's Mother: I'm going to get your father. Then, you've got a lot of explaining to do, young lady.
(Mary is left alone. As she looks and ponders about what she has seen, another cast member will read Luke 1:46-55. As it is read, Mary will go about straightening up the area, picking up the spilled vegetables, and putting the broom away. Elizabeth enters from stage right, out of breath.)
Elizabeth: Mary, something wonderful has happened. I just know it. I was making my dinner when, all of a sudden, I felt God's presence, and so did the baby. It actually feels like he's dancing in here.
Mary: Oh, Elizabeth, you're right!
Elizabeth: I knew it. God is doing something miraculous.
Mary: For both of us. For all of us. Sit down. I've got a long story to tell you.
